Sebastian Giovinco

Date of Birth: - 26.01.1987

Height: - 5ft 4''

Position: - Striker, Winger, Attacking Midfield

Nationality: - Italian

Current Club: - Juventus

Estimated Market Value: - £20 million

Linked with: - Liverpool



Club Statistics



Juventus

2006/2007 season - 3 matches, no goals and no assists.

2008/2009 season - 27 matches, 3 goals and 8 assists.

2009/2010 season - 19 matches, 1 goal and 1 assist.

TOTAL – 49 matches, 4 goals and 9 assists.



Empoli

2007/2008 season - 37 matches, 6 goals and 4 assists.



Parma

2010/2011 season - 32 matches, 7 goals and 6 assists.

2011/2012 season - 38 matches, 16 goals and 16 assists.

TOTAL - 70 matches, 23 goals and 22 assists.



International Statistics



Italy U21

2006/2007 season- 1 match, no goals and no assists.

2007/2008 season- 1 match, no goals and 1 assist.

2008/2009 season- 7 matches, 1 goal and no assists.

TOTAL - 9 matches, 1 goal and 1 assist.





Italy

2010/2011 season - 5 matches, no goals and 1 assist.

2011/2012 season - 4 matches, no goals and no assists.

TOTAL - 9 matches, no goals and 1 assist.





General Comments:



Before I start this profile, I am astounded by how few requests for this player have been - as there is still a high possibility, well in my opinion anyway that he could end up coming to Liverpool. Anyway, as he had so many requests a few weeks ago, he was at the top of my list, and as he was a player I knew so little about, I still decided to do this profile. Anyway, I'm sure when the next Suarez revelations occur, and Giovinco is once more linked strongly with Liverpool, then you will all want to know more about him!!



{All of a sudden when I had finished this profile, there were a glut of requests for it - so I am glad I have done it.}



Anyway the player!! He really is a special player. He has the ability to unlock defences with a simple pass, flick or trick. It is that ability that he has, to be able to open up huge gaps in defences with one pass which makes him stand out. There are very few players in the game who can unlock defences, but he is one of those ''flair'' players. Anyway, he is a player who ''floats'' and doesn't stick to one position. He can play on the wing, upfront or behind the front man - but he is best when he can float around, making openings for others, getting into wide positions, or scoring himself. Also, he has a brilliant attacking and forward thinking mind - and the outstanding passing range to go with it. Looking at him, you would think that he would be a poor long passer, but he isn't. He can slot into central mid, and spray the ball around, which is really impressive.

Anyway, let me talk more about his individual attacking qualities. He is a very pace winger, who can take player on just by pace very easily. Also, he has a lot of skills in his locker, but he only uses them when he needs to, e.g. to help hold onto the ball and bring other players into the game. However, he can sometimes use a trick when he should just pass simply, but I haven't seen this from him very often. He has a lot of sense when using his pace and skills, and doesn't use them too much. Furthermore, his touch is absolutely brilliant - he has fantastic close control - which aids him when dribbling. He reminds me of Messi when he dribbles, because he has that close control and low centre of gravity which means that he has fantastic balance for just going round player after player. He does make lots of those dizzying runs too, when he picks up the ball in the middle of the park and goes past four or five men - which is impressive. Here his height and low centre of gravity really help him. Also, many players have an acceptable weaker foot, but like many great players, Giovinco has a very very good weaker foot. You can tell he is a predominantly right footed player, but his left foot is also brilliant, and definitely not weak.



When he goes forward, he also tends to be very unselfish. He gets himself into good positions, but unlike Mirallas whom I profiled yesterday, he lays the ball off, and sets up opportunities for other teammates, instead of shooting all the time. However, sometimes he will shoot when you want him to pass, but you can let him off, as he does pass most of the time. Moreover, when he does shoot from close range, he also tends to score - he is a very good finisher. However, this also leads me to a bad bit about this player, as sometimes, when he rushes a shot; say from outside the box, he can smash it over, or wide. However, he is a set piece specialist, and when he takes his time over longer range shots, he can get them right where he wants them. However, as I mentioned, in open play, he tends to mess up long range shots. However, having said that, he can hit the spectacular form 30 to 40 yards. He does have the technique to score the spectacular, but often doesn't. To conclude the good bits about him, he also works hard for the team. Not only does he create chances for his teammates, but he also closes down the opposition, and forces them into mistakes.



I also need to mention the bad parts of his play as well, but they are so few and far between it is hard. As I have mentioned, when shooting from long range, and under pressure he can mess up his shots, but when you score the amount of goals he does, he tends to get a lot of them in! Also, sometimes when he is dribbling, he sometimes doesn't get his head up enough, and can run into a blind alley. He can take one touch too many, or take a touch the wrong way, and instead of avoiding problems, runs straight into them. This is one thing I would like to see him improve, and seeing it happens rarely, I'm sure it is something he will be able to change quite easily. Perhaps he needs to keep composure and concentration a little more. Anyway, to conclude, I need to mention his height. He is a small player, but I have mentioned the advantages of this above. However, it does also mean that he can be outmuscled, out run and outcompeted, as he is smaller and weaker, just because of his size. However, it is something he cannot change, but he does seem as if he has worked hard on strength and speed, as these are definitely plus points of the player, and not weaknesses, which they could have been if he hadn’t of worked on them.



Would Giovinco cut it in England?

I really don’t know. Him, 4 inches taller, and yes, he would be Ronaldo mark II. However, he is small for a football player, and due to this, even though he is a strong player, is he strong enough? I'm not sure. He has all the talent needed to make it, but will he be bullied too much in England. It's one of those where, until it happens, I'm not sure that we will know. As I say, if he isn't bullied, and gets free kicks when he deserves too, then he will become a star - a £40million + player, but if he goes down too easily, gets a reputation, gets bullied, then he might not make it. I hope he does succeed if and when he comes to play in England, because he is special. Really really special. Liverpool should bite Juve's hand off to get him. To be honest, I don’t want to sound ridiculous, but as an LFC fan, I would happily go for a straight swap between him and Suarez, but if we got money too - then it would be the deal of the century!! He would fit into the new mould at Liverpool too, pass and move. He could be the floating player, making, scoring and winning free kicks. He fits that system perfectly. Let’s just hope Brendan rates him as much as me!!



Summary of Giovinco:



Strengths: Genuinely two footed, fantastic dribbling, unselfish, hard worker, low gravity, strong, skills, sensible, fantastic and unexpectedly brilliant long range passing, touch, pace and the quality to ''unlock the door''.



Weaknesses: Can run into blind alleys, longer range shooting and size.



The Business End of the Profile:

We all know about the possibility of him being involved in a swap deal, maybe involving Krasic as well, for Luis Suarez. but is there actually interest there from Liverpool? I'm not sure at this moment in time, but if a deal is ever offered with Giovinco, the I definitely expect it to be looked at strongly, as he is a player with a large value, as Juventus brought 50% of his rights for 11 million euros I believe, making him a valuable player. Anyway, I don’t believe that there is any strong interest from any other teams, but I do believe that he will be a player used in many potential deals this summer, as he has already been offered, along with Matri for Cavani. For this summer at least, I expect him to be used as a bargaining tool, and wither he move or not is all down to the attractiveness of any of Juventus' offers, so we will have to wait and see!